Dental implant with a protective film

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to oral care and dental implants. In particular, the present invention is a dental implant with a removable protective film that is used to prevent implant loss and remove unwanted residual cement.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application claims the benefit of priority U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/252,322, entitled DENTAL IMPLANT WITH A PROTECTIVE FILM, filed on Nov. 6, 2015, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to oral care and dental implants. In particular, the present invention is a dental implant with a removable protective film that is used to prevent implant loss and remove unwanted residual cement.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Natural teeth may be lost due to dental disease or trauma. Dental implants are used as replacements for missing teeth and generally comprise three primary components: Fixture, Abutment, and Crown. The fixture are implanted into the bone and is coupled to the abutment which extends outside of the gingiva. The abutment is screwed into the fixture and the crown is cemented on to the abutment, providing a chewing surface that may be analogous to a tooth.

Dental implants are a very predictable method to replace missing teeth, but they can fail. In the case of failure, they will need to be removed for a variety of reasons that may include but are not limited to, the fracture of either the screw or the abutment or bone loss caused by infection or inflammation. A primary cause of implant failure has been linked to retained cement on the base of the abutment that the dentist was unable to remove or unaware of after cementing the crown. Any cement left on the abutment after cementing the crown may cause inflammation of the periodontal tissues and ultimately lead to bone loss and loss of the implant itself. It does not matter the type of cement used, any variety can trigger this inflammatory process. Currently, the removal of the cement is left to the skill of the practitioner. Unfortunately, due to tissue morphology, sub gingival level or simply the shape of the abutment may make it impossible for even the most talented operator to completely remove all of the cement.

It is therefore an objective of the present invention to introduce a dental implant abutment with a protective film, which will help prevent implant loss due to residual cement, by giving the practitioner an easy and effective means to remove cement after cementing the crown in place. The film may be used with all abutment designs used in the current market. The film itself is made of Teflon, Teflon type plastic film coating, adhesive plastic tape or similar materials that is placed on the abutment, completely covering the exposed area of the abutment between the implant itself and the margin of film, which is similar to the plastic covers on many new electrical devices may be placed on the abutment by the manufacturer prior to adjusting or prepping the abutment for the crown or by the dental lab or dentist. The film may be held in place by with an appropriate adhesive on the inside of the film or could be retained via electrostatic means. The film is easily removed leaving no residue by pulling the free end which either extends out from below the tissue or overlaps the other end with the fingers, cotton forceps, hemostat, or a similar instrument. When the film is pulled off, it takes with it any cement which may have flowed out when the crown was sealed and cemented. The film may be modified or extended outward to a variable degree for example, to a shape in which it has an annular J-type ridge or bead at the apical to catch and prevent excess cement from extending past the junction of the abutment and the implant body or at the coronal edge to prevent excess cement from extending past the junction of the crown and the abutment.

The film, which may be colored or clear, cannot break easily and is thin enough as not to displace or hurt the tissue when seating the abutment or removing the film. The free end must extend sufficiently from the soft tissue and be of adequate length to be able to be grasped for removal. It must also be of sufficient strength not to break or tear upon removal. The film may or may not be radiopaque to assure that there is not tape/film remaining on the abutment post removal. It must also be of sufficient strength and adherence that it will not come off during preparation by the lab or the dentist and that it will not shift or come off during seating of the abutment and cementation of the crown.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the fully assembled present invention, with the film bent to form a J-shaped ridge;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an elevated front-side view of the present invention, with a broken line representing the abutment's non-threaded end which fits under the crown, as well as a small portion of the film on that portion of the abutment that does not fit under the crown cavity, and a screw;

FIG. 4 is a view of the present invention implanted into a patient's mouth, with the fixture screwed into bone;

FIG. 5 is an exploded front-side view of the present invention;

FIG. 6 displays the present invention implanted into a patient's mouth, with the fixture screwed into the bone and J-shaped ridge located around an edge of the film;

FIG. 7 is a sketch of the present invention in an exploded stated. In this sketch, the J-shaped ridge is visible around an edge of the film; and

FIG. 8 displays multiple perspective views of the fully assembled present invention. One perspective view displays the J-shaped ridge at the film's coronal edge, while another view displays the J-shaped ridge at the film's apical edge.

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

In view of the aforementioned problem(s), the present invention is a dental abutment for an implant with a protective film that can be used with any type or manufacturer of implants, which will help prevent implant loss caused by residual cement, by giving the practitioner an easy and effective means to remove cement after cementing the crown in place. Before explaining at least one embodiment of the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the device is not limited in its application to the details of the components and arrangements as described or illustrated. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being utilized and carried out in various ways. It is also to be understood that the phrasing and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. As such, the present invention is primarily used for oral care, but the device may be applied to many other settings, situations, and scenarios.

As shown in FIGS. 1-8, in the preferred embodiment, the present invention comprises a dental implant abutment 2 and a film 3. The implant is comprised of a fixture 4, an abutment 2, a film 3, and a crown 5. The fixture 4 further comprises a shaft 6 and a threaded cavity 14. The abutment 2 comprises an apical end 7, a non-apical end 8 over which the crown 5 is affixed and an annular protuberance 9. The crown 5 further comprises a crown cavity 10. The film 3 further comprises a free end 11 and a non-free end 12.

As shown in FIG. 1-8, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fixture 4 is a rigid elongated shaft 6 with two ends opposite from each other. One end of the fixture is closed 15 and is inserted/screwed into the bone of a patient below the gingiva 13. The threaded cavity 14 is located at the other end of the fixture 4, going into the shaft 6 a short distance towards the closed end 15. The threaded cavity 14 is shaped and dimensioned to engage with and receive the abutment's apical end 7, allowing the abutment 2 to be screwed into the fixture 4. The crown cavity 10 is shaped and dimensioned to receive the entirety of the prepared portion of the abutment 2.

As shown in FIG. 1-8, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fixture 4 comprises a shaft 6 and a threaded cavity 14, and the abutment 2 comprises an apical end 7 and a non-apical end 8 onto which the crown 5 is affixed and an annular protuberance 9 between said abutment and said crown. The annular protuberance 9 is the widest portion of the abutment 2 and sits parallel to and in between the apical end 7 which is inserted into the fixture 4 and the non-apical end 8 which receives the crown 5, the annular protuberance's surface being positioned either sub-gingival 13 or supra-gingival 13.

As shown in FIG. 1-8, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the abutment 2 is a rigid member with an apical end 7 that is coupled with the fixture 4 via a screw 17 or force fit that sits opposite the non-apical end 8. The crown 5, which becomes the chewing surface and is analogous to a tooth in function, is cemented onto the abutment's non-apical end 8, which engages with and is received by the crown cavity 10. For means of securement, cement may be placed in the crown cavity 10, on and by the abutment's non-apical end 8 or both. The annular protuberance 9 is the widest portion of the abutment 2, which sits parallel to and in between the apical end 7 which inserts into the fixture 4 and non-apical end 8 which receives the crown 5. The annular protuberance's 9 surface sits either sub-gingival 13 or supra-gingival 13. The cavity of the crown 10 is shaped and dimensioned to receive the entirety of the prepared portion of the abutment 2. The film 3 will cover the entirety of the annular protuberance's surface 9, with its free end 11 overlapping on top of the non-free end 12. As such, the film 3 will cover the exposed area of the annular protuberance 9 between the fixture 4 and the margin of the crown 5 when the implant 1 is properly placed, with all its components properly connected. Additionally, the film 3 will extend outwards up to the soft tissue/gingiva 13. The film 3 will be made of Teflon, Teflon type plastic film coating, or similar material often found covering new electrical devices.

As shown in FIG. 1-8, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the film 3 may or may not have an adhesive on one or both of its sides, preventing it from coming off of the abutment 2 or shifting in unwanted circumstances. The film 3 itself will be of sufficient strength not to tear or break and it will not easily come off the abutment 2 or shift in unwanted circumstances, however, it will be easy enough to remove by pulling the tab 11 with fingers, cotton forceps, hemostats, or similar instruments. The tab 11 may extend outwards a short distance or neatly cover and lay atop the non-free end. With this, removal of the film 3 may be achieved by simply peeling back and pulling the tab on the free end 11 of the film. The film 3 will take with it any excess cement which may have flowed out of the crown cavity 10 upon cementation.

As shown in FIG. 1-8, in general, the film 3 will lay flat covering the annular protuberances 9, however, the film's outer edge 3 may be bent directionally towards the crown 5, creating a J-shaped ridge 16. The J-shape ridge 16 will extend around the entire apical edge 7 and/or coronal edge, forming a shallow region that catches and prevents the flow of excess cement, before film 3 removal. Additionally, a bead or trough may be integrated into the film, around the aforementioned edge to assist with structural support and performance of the region that catches and holds excess cement.

As shown in FIG. 1-8, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the film 3 may be placed on the abutment 2 by the manufacturer prior to adjusting or prepping the abutment for the crown or simply by the dental lab or dentist him/herself.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit of the scope of the invention. 

1. An improved dental implant comprising: a fixture; an abutment, which is telescopically insertable into and fixedly attachable to said fixture; and a crown which may be affixed to said abutment by cement; the improvement comprising a plastic film which is positioned proximate said abutment for receiving said cement and for allowing removal for excess cement after affixation of said Crown to said abutment.
 2. The dental implant of claim 1 and further comprising an annular protuberance interposed between said abutment and said crown, said film being selectively affixable to said annular protuberance so as to receive said crown and said cement and to be selectively removable from said abutment after said cement has adhesively joined said crown to said abutment and said annular protuberance.
 3. The dental implant of claim 2 wherein said protective film includes a free end which may be grasped by the user for removal of said film following adhesion of said crown to said annular protuberance.
 4. The dental implant of claim 2 wherein said film further includes a J-ridge formed at a first edge of said film and extending therefrom for positioning said film upwardly relative to said abutment so as to provide easy access for removal of said protective film as required.
 5. The dental implant of claim 4 in which said protective film includes a free end tab for facilitating removal of said film from said abutment as required so as to allow removal of excess cement after adhesion of said crown to said abutment.
 6. The dental implant of claim 2 wherein said protective film may be selected from the group consisting of polytetrafluroethylene, cellulose film, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylurethane, silicone and other natural and artificial polymers.
 7. The dental implant of claim 2 wherein said cement may be selected from the group comprising zinc phosphate: glass ionomer; resin modified ionomer; and resin cement.
 8. The dental implant of claim 4 wherein said film extends out from below the patient's gum line and overlaps the second end of the film and is removable by means of fingers, cotton, forceps, hemostat, or a similar instrument so that when said film is pulled off of said annular protuberance it takes with it any cement which may have flowed out when the crown was sealed and cemented.
 9. The dental implant of claim 8 wherein said film may be shaped into annular shaped type ridge or bead at the apical end to catch and prevent excess cement from extending past the junction of the abutment and the implant body or at the coronal edge of the abutment as to prevent excess cement from extending past the junction of the crown and the abutment.
 10. The dental implant of claim 8 wherein said resin cement may be selected from the group comprising light cured cement; dual cured cement and auto-cured cement, said dual-cured cement being used when light penetration is likely to be poor, said dual-cured cement and said auto-cured cement further comprising a bonding agent where light exposure in dental preparation is difficult.
 11. The dental implant of claim 2 wherein said film may be held in place via electrostatic means.
 12. The dental implant of claim 2 wherein said film may be modified to a shape in which it has an annular J-type ridge or bead at the apical edge to catch and prevent excess cement from extending past the junction of the abutment and the implant body or the coronal edge of the crown.
 13. The dental implant of claim 11 wherein said free end of said film extends sufficiently from the soft tissue of the patient and is of an adequate length to be able to be grasped for removal and is of sufficient strength so as to not to break or tear upon removal.
 14. The dental implant of claim 2 wherein said film is radiopaque to assure that there is no tape or film remaining on the abutment post-removal.
 15. The dental implant of claim 1 wherein said fixture comprises a shaft and a threaded cavity, and the abutment comprises an apical end and a non-apical end onto which the crown is affixed and an annular protuberance between said abutment and said crown.
 16. The dental implant of claim 13 wherein said abutment is a rigid member with an apical end that is coupled to said fixture via a screw or force fit that sits opposite the non-apical end of the abutment; said crown being cemented onto the abutments' non apical end which is engages with and is received by the crown cavity, said crown being secured to said abutment by cement placed in the crown cavity on and by the abutments non apical end.
 17. The dental implant of claim 14 wherein the annular protuberance is the widest portion of the abutment and sits parallel to and in between the apical end which is inserted into the fixture and the non-apical end which receives the crown, the annular protuberance's surface being positioned either sub-gingival or supra-gingival.
 18. The dental implant of claim 16 wherein the crown cavity is shaped and dimensioned to receive the entirety of the prepared portion of the abutment.
 19. The dental implant of claim 1 wherein said film covers the entirety of the annular protuberance's surface, with its free end overlapping on top of the non-free end so as to cover the exposed area of the annular protuberance between the fixture and the margin of the crown when the implant is properly placed with all its components properly connected and the extending outwardly up to the soft tissue/gingiva of the patient.
 20. The dental implant of claim 16 wherein said film may have adhesive on one or both sides so as to prevent it from coming off of the abutment or shifting in unwanted circumstances and a tab which extends outwardly a short distance from said annular protuberance and lays atop the non-free end of said film so that removal may be achieved by simply peeling back and pulling the tab on the free end of the film taking with it any excess cement which may have flowed out of the crown cavity upon cementation.
 21. The dental implant of claim 1 wherein said film lays flat around the annular protuberances and the film's outer edge is bent directionally towards the crown, creating a J-shaped ridge, said J-shape ridge extending around the entire apical edge and/or coronal edge of the abutment and forming a shallow region that catches and prevents the flow of excess cement before film removal.
 22. The dental implant of claim 21 wherein said film includes a bead or trough which may be integrated into said film around the aforementioned edge to assist with structural support and performance of the portion of the film that catches and holds excess cement.
 23. An improved dental implant device comprising: a fixture constructed and arranged for fixed attachment to the jaws of a patient; an abutment constructed and arranged for a fixed attachment to said fixture; a crown for fixed attachment to said abutment; cement means for said fixed attachment of said crown to said abutment; and, removable film means for preventing excess adhesive from being deposited on or remaining on the jaws of the patient after attachment of said crown to said abutment; said removable film means including means for retaining said cement on said removable film means.
 24. The improved dental implant device of claim 23 and further comprising: means for manually removing said removable film means from said abutment. 